Nikon D5500 vs Sony A6300 : How does the Nikon D5500 , an Entry-Level DSLR camera with a 24.0MP APS-C sensor compare to the Sony Alpha A6300 , a Semi-Pro Mirrorless camera with a 24.0MP APS-C sensor? We’ve got the details. But first, here’s a quick overview of the main specifications.
Nikon D5500 vs Sony A6300 Specs
Nikon D5500 vs Sony A6300 – Comparison
Specifications
Nikon D5500
Sony A6300
Megapixels
24.2
24.2
Sensor Type
CMOS
CMOS
Sensor Format
APS-C (DX)
APS-C
Crop Factor
1.5x
1.5x
AA Filter
None
Yes
Image Resolution
6000 x 4000
6000 x 4000
Body Image Stabilization
No
No
Lens Mount
Nikon FX/DX
Sony E
ISO
100 – 25,600
100 – 25,600
Expanded ISO
No
51,200
AF Points
39
425
Cross-type AF Points
9
425 phase
Continuous Mode
5fps
11fps
LCD
3.2″ – Fully Articulated
3.0″ – Articulating
LCD Resolution
1,036,800 dots
921,600 dots
Touchscreen
Yes
No
Focus Peaking
No
Yes
Top LCD Display
No
No
Viewfinder Type
Optical
EVF (2.3M)
Viewfinder Coverage
95%
100%
Viewfinder Magnification
0.82x
1.07x
Video Resolution
1920×1080 (60/50/30/25/24p)
3840×2160 (30/25/24p)
1280×720 (60/50p)
1920×1080 (120/100/60/50p)
Microphone Jack
Yes
Yes
Headphone Jack
No
No
Memory Card Type
SD
SD or MS Pro
Dual Card Slots
No
No
SD UHS Support
UHS-I
UHS-I
Fastest Shutter Speed
1/4000
1/4000
Slowest Shutter Speed
30″
30″
Bulb Mode
Yes
Yes
JPEG Buffer Size
100
44
RAW Buffer Size
7
22
Time Lapse
Yes
Yes
Built-in Flash
Yes
Yes
Max Flash Sync Speed
1/200
1/160
Startup Time
0.4s
1.4s
Built-in Wi-Fi
Yes
Yes
Built-in GPS
No
No
Built- in NFC
No
Yes
Bluetooth
No
No
USB Type
USB 2.0
USB 2.0
Environmentally Sealed
No
Yes
Battery Life (CIPA)
820 shots
400 shots
Battery Included
Yes (EN-EL14a)
Yes (NP-FW50)
Weight
14.8 oz (420g)
14.3 oz (404g)
Size
4.9 x 3.8 x 2.8″
4.7 x 2.6 x 1.9″
Price
Amazon
Amazon
Release Date
2015
2016
Nikon D5500 vs Sony A6300 Common Features
Wireless Connection
Yes vs Yes
Better connectivity
Articulating Screen
Yes vs Yes
Flexible shooting positions
Built-in Flash
Yes vs Yes
Useful in low-light
External Flash Shoe
Yes vs Yes
Better for flash photography
Viewfinder
Yes (Optical) vs Yes (Electronic)
Better framing and control
RAW Support
Yes vs Yes
Better image quality
Face Detection Focus
Yes vs Yes
Useful for portraits
Max Resolution
24 MP vs 24 MP
Bigger prints and more details
Microphone Port
Yes vs Yes
High-quality audio recording option
AE Bracketing
Yes vs Yes
Useful for tough lighting conditions and HDR
Nikon D5500 vs Sony A6300 Common Weaknesses
Image Stabilization
No vs No
No Built-in stabilization
Sony A6300 vs Nikon D5500 Size Comparison
The Sony Alpha A6300 is the smaller of the two cameras. Its body is 4mm narrower, 30mm shorter and 21mm thinner than the Nikon D5500 . It is also 16g lighter than the Nikon D5500. They both have the same sized sensors hence their lenses for the same aperture and focal length tend to weigh the same.
Nikon D5500 vs Sony A6300 – Comparison
Sony A6300 vs Nikon D5500 Sensor Comparison
As mentioned, both these digital cameras have an APS-C sized 24.0 MP resolution sensors. However, the Nikon D5500’s sensor lacks an anti-alias (Low-Pass) filter. This increases sharpness and detail. But, at the same time, it also increases the chance of moire.
Why You Should Choose The Nikon D5500
Touch Screen
Yes vs No
Easy control of camera functions
LCD Screen Size
3.2″ vs 3″
0.2 inches larger display
LCD Screen Resolution
1.037k dots vs 922k dots
12% higher resolution screen
Battery Life
820 shots vs 400 shots
420 more frames with a single charge
Timelapse Recording
Yes vs With optional app
Creative shooting
Flash Coverage
12.0m vs 6.0m
6m longer range
Dynamic Range
14.0 vs 13.7
Higher dynamic range
Low Light ISO
1438 vs 1437
Better High ISO performance
Price
$700 vs $898
$198 cheaper
Selfie Friendly LCD
Yes vs No
Rotate LCD for taking Selfies
Advantages of the Nikon D5500 Over Sony A6300
AA Filter – The Nikon D5500 has no AA filter.
LCD – 3.2″ vs 3.0″ and it’s fully articulated.
LCD Resolution – Higher resolution.
JPEG Buffer Size – 100 vs 44.
Max Flash Sync Speed – 1/200 vs 1/160.
Battery Life – 820 shots vs 400 shots.
Video: Nikon D5500 Hands-on Review
VIDEO
Why You Should Choose The Sony A6300
Number of Focus Points
425 vs 39
386 more focus points
Viewfinder Coverage
100% vs 95%
More accurate viewfinder
Continuous Shooting
11.0fps vs 5.0fps
6 fps faster
Weight
404 g vs 420 g
16 g lighter
Environmental Sealing
Yes vs No
Shoot at tough conditions
Color Depth
24.4 vs 24.1
Higher color depth
Max Video Resolution
3840 x 2160 vs 1920 x 1080
Higher Resolution Video
AE Bracketing Range
±5 EV vs ±2 EV
Wide Bracketing range is useful for HDR
NFC Connection
Yes vs No
Easy wireless connectivity with compatible devices
Smartphone_remote control
Yes vs No
Remote control your camera with a smartphone
Advantages of the Sony A6300 Over the Nikon D5500
ISO – 51,200 vs 25,600. Higher maximum ISO sensitivity.
Continuous mode – 11fps vs 5fps. More is better for sports and wildlife since you have more chances of getting a tack sharp shot.
F ocus Peaking – Very useful for seeing if your subject is in focus (both photo and video).
Viewfinder Coverage – 100% vs 95%.
Viewfinder Magnification – Higher magnification.
Video Resolution – 4K video available.
RAW Buffer Size – 22 vs 7.
Environmentally Sealed – The Sony A6300 is much more protected for shooting outdoors in difficult terrain and bad weather conditions.
Size – The Sony A6300 is noticeably smaller.
Video: Sony A6300 Hands-on Review
VIDEO